In November 2017, James Pearson made the first ascent of Power Ranger 5.14 R at Sunset Rocks, Chattanooga, TN. A video has just been released of James' journey towards climbing the line, in which he undergoes a second metamorphosis from wannabe Frenchman to fully-fledged American in order to 'send' the route. More important, though, is the lesson he learns along the way.
Who cares about the padding,what a bit of climbing at the top
massive run out and goey moves add up to one ballsy boy
Well done that man
6
rob_s_h12 Mar 2018
Video gives a different impression of James from one I'd had before and I'm not sure I like it so much. Was it really necessary to bring out clichéd American tropes and bash Trump and modern life in a climbing video?
Filmmakers can’t really win. If they appeal to the youth then that’s shit and if they make something funny with social comment then that’s shit too. Thought this was pretty good and the climbing segment was fantastic. Something different from the millisecond attention span, quick cut, logo filled usual and a bit of fun. My thoughts for what they’re worth.
It just went on too long for me though. If the stuff at the start was cut in half I'm sure I'd have enjoyed it more. Great climbing though after the nine minute mark though.
I thought that was brilliant. Maybe the Trump sequence went on a bit (like all Trump sequences) but the climbing afterwards more than made up for it. Awesome looking route and well captured. I quite enjoyed all the piss taking at the start. Round of applause all round.
They should release two versions of the film, one for grumpy old tossers like me who couldn't care less about James' opinions on life but thought the climbing part was flipping ace, and enjoyed watching him climb so smoothly, then one for people who enjoyed the humour bits.
I thought this was good. Apart from the runouts it's pretty bold making a climbing film like this: that's different to others and could easily fall flat on it's face. However I thought it worked really well and it kept me engaged for the whole duration.
Very enjoyable - nice contrast between the beginning and the end made the climbing part even better - added to the fact that Sunset, above Chattanooga, is just a great place.
Lots of reasonably graded routes. Although I'll confess I was completely spanked by a 5.6 (I think - my memory has been edited to avoid too much embarrassment) and a fabulous location.
Fri Night Vid Finding Focus - Life Behind The Lens of a Climbing Photographer
This week's Friday Night Video is a portrait of a prolific climbing photographer from Wedge Climbing. Sam Pratt is well known in both the outdoor and competition scene but if you haven't heard of him, you've likely seen...